Combination toothbrush and dentifrice receptacle



April 3, 1956 M. J. AMODIO 2,740,413

COMBINATION TOOTHBRUSH AND DENTIFRICE RECEPTACLE Filed Jan. 25, 1954 United States Patent COMBINATION TOOTHBRUSH AND DENTIFRICE RECEPTACLE Michael J. Amodio, Jersey City, N. J. Application January 25, 1954, Serial No. 405,669

1 Claim. (Cl. 132-84) This invention relates to toothbrushes and more particularly to the means for caring for the same.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush and carrying means therefor which permits the toothbrush to be carried conveniently on the person and used in any conceivable place or situation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush and carrying means therefor resembling in appearance an ordinary fountain pen.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush and carrying means therefor which also accommodates the necessary toothpaste or powder in a compact convenient unit.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a toothbrush and carrying means therefor bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, inexpensive to manufacture, has a minimum number of parts, is easy to use and efiicient in operation.

For other objects and better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view thereof, shown partly in section to show the interior construction thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary exploded perspective view of part of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view shown partly in section and showing the toothbrush and the extended operative position.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, represents a hollow tubular casing of plastic or other suitable material and open at each end, and resembling in appearance a fountain pen. In fact, a pocket clip 11 of the type generally found on fountain pens is suitably secured to one end thereof, permitting the tubular portion 10 to be carried around in a pocket in the fashion of a pen. A partition 12 is integrally formed within the tubular portion 10 and divides the latter into the compartment 13 and the lower compartment 14. A cap 15 having a cylindrical flange 16 is press fitted into the top of the tube 10 whereby to close the compartment 13, a tube of tooth powder or toothpaste 16' of the flexible variety being snugly received therewithin (Fig. 2). The tube 16' includes a cap 17.

As shown in Fig. 3, the tubular member 10 below the partition 12 is thickened along one side and this thickened portion is formed with a longitudinal groove 18 of rectangular cross section extending to the lower open end of the tube. A toothbrush is provided and comprises an elongated handle 19 of rectangular cross section adapted to slide within the groove 18 and the bristles 20 secured 2,740,413 Patented Apr. 3, 1956 downwardly is slid upwardly into the compartment 14' within the groove 18, as shown in Fig. 2. The portion 23 is pushed inwardly, Fig. 5, to move the extension 24 within the slot 26 which effectively accommodates the same, and permits the inward movement of the handle, the slots 21 permitting the flexible portion 22 to extend inwardly. When the brush has reached the position of Fig. 2, the finger is released from the extension 24 permitting the cylindrical portion 23 to snap outwardly and into the opening 26. Since the portion 23 is larger than the width of the slot 25, the brush will be effectively prevented from reverse movement. However, when such movement is desired, the finger is again utilized to push the portion 23 inwardly and to permit the extension 24 thereof to move within the slot 25. A bottom closure 28 is press fitted on to the lower end of the tube 10 to complete the carrying means. When the portion 23 reaches the opening 27, the extension 24 is released to permit the portion 23 to snap into the opening 27 and to retain the handle 19 in the extended position of Fig. 5.

In operation, assuming the parts assembled as shown in Fig. l, the closure 28 is removed whereupon the pin 24 is pushed inwardly and the portion 23 is moved to the other end of the slot 25 (Fig. 5) and is permitted to snap into place. The top closure or cap 15 is then removed, and the tube 16 removed. The necessary amount of toothpaste or powder is then applied to the bristles 20 whereupon the tube 16' is returned to the compartment 13 and the cap 15 replaced. The teeth are then brushed, and after cleaning the bristles, the handle 19 is slid to its inoperative position by pressing in on the pin 24 and moving the same along slot 25 until the opening 26 is reached, whereupon the portion 23 is permitted to snap into the same. The closure 28 is then put on the lower end of the assembly whereupon the entire device is carried in the pocket like a fountain pen by means of the clip 11.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim.

Having thus set forth and disclosed the nature of my invention, What is claimed is:

An article of the class described comprising a hollow elongated casing, removable closures disposed at both ends of the said casing, an interior compartment forming a partition dividing the said casing into upper and lower chambers, the said upper chamber being adapted to receive a tube of tooth paste, a toothbrush disposed within the said lower chamber, the lower chamber of said casing having a longitudinally extending groove formed therein and opening into the interior thereof and a longitudinally extending slot in the Wall of said groove communicating with the exterior of said casing, said slot terminating in circular enlargements at both ends, said toothbrush including a handle portion shaped complementary to said groove for longitudinal movement therein, one end of the said handle having a pair of laterally spaced slits forming a resilient member therebetween, the latter carrying a cylindrical member of a diameter conforming to that of the said enlargements of the said slot and terminating into a second cylindrical member of smaller diameter than that of the first mentioned cylindrical member and conforming to the width of the said slot, so that the said toothbrush handle may slide longitudinally upon pushing the said resilient member slightly inwardly and to retain the said toothbrush handle in its operative and inoperative positions, respectively, when the said first mentioned cylindrical member engages the corresponding enlargements 10 of the said slot.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Fair May 30, 1950 

